It was just announced that Principal Chmiel has been fired. As members of the Princeton High School student body, we are extremely disappointed and enraged by the fact that both the process and reasonings for this decision were not shared.  

We have previously demanded multiple times for the administration to be transparent with us. Princeton High School has already been through frequent administrative changes, all of which have interrupted the learning environment of students. Not only would this change continue to interrupt learning, it would force the students’ to have to rebuild a relationship with yet another new principal. 

We want to highlight how Principal Chmiel has positively impacted our school and how significant of a person he has become in our community.  

Principal Chmiel has been the first principal for a majority of students to have personally made the effort to meet and remember students’ names. He has shown overwhelming support for every school event and endeavor that students take on. Principal Chmiel is a regular supporter at sporting games, school concerts/shows, and student run events. It is also extremely valid to give him personal credit for increasing Princeton High School’s school spirit, an aspect of school that the school lacked before his appointment.  

When Principal Chmiel was first introduced to us, the student body was calling for transparency with the administration over consistent schedule changes. In response, Principal Chmiel listened to our grievances and proactively created a Student Advisory Committee that he regularly consulted for all school events and initiatives.

Principal Chmiel also took steps to personally develop and plan PHS’ first Hispanic Heritage Month Assembly and Black History Month gospel assembly. He gave voices to student leaders and helped lead school-wide appreciation of these cultures. Last year he supported the sale of Black 365 t-shirts and through this, raised enough money to offer last year’s seniors college scholarships. 

We demand transparency, reasoning, and accountability from our superintendent. And we call for the board to rescind Principal Chmiel’s termination.  

Thank you, 

Ashley Chen, Ida Sidik, Sofia Mauger, Rida Mian, and Vivian Clayton

(Parents, students, and any other concerned members of the Princeton High School community are welcome to sign and support)